Night fell over Yuncheng like a velvet curtain stitched with stars. The streets below buzzed with life, but in Li Zhen's penthouse, a storm brewed behind his eyes.
The message still played in a loop on his massive OLED screen.
"You've made too many enemies, Li Zhen. People around you will pay the price.
Back down. Or watch your empire fall... one life at a time."
The video of Su Qian being tailed by two men sent a chill through him he hadn't felt in a long time — not since the day Meng Yuyan humiliated him in the cafeteria.
This wasn't about money now.
This was war.
System Notification:
Optional Quest Activated: "Protect the Flame"
Objective: Locate threat to Su Qian and neutralize it.
Time Limit: 48 Hours
Reward: Permanent Ally Skill: "Wild Shield"
Failure Penalty: Su Qian will suffer public scandal or harm. Emotional Damage +10%.*
Skill Boost: "Market Intuition" adapted for security scan.
Li Zhen's eyes flicked across his wall of monitors. He initiated a private call to Wen Xiaoming.
"Activate surveillance tracking. I need to trace two targets tailing Su Qian—last seen near Yuncheng University library."
Wen whistled low on the other end. "Looks like your enemies just went off-script."
"Track them," Li Zhen said coldly. "And when you find them... trap them."
10:23 PM — Yuncheng University
Su Qian exited the library, unaware that Li Zhen had eyes on her.
In a nondescript black SUV across the street, two men sat watching.
"She's leaving the building," one of them muttered into a hidden mic.
The other nodded. "Orders are to wait until she's alone. Then get leverage. Quietly."
What they didn't know was that they were already being watched.
10:25 PM — In a Black Van Nearby
Li Zhen sat inside a mobile operations unit rented through one of his newly acquired startup investments — a private security tech firm called IronCircle.
Three ex-military professionals surrounded him, each equipped with tactical gear and neural-linked drones. Live feeds displayed Su Qian's route, the suspects' vehicle, and heat-map overlays of nearby threats.
"We tag them now?" one of the agents asked.
Li Zhen nodded. "Not yet. I want to know who they work for."
System Update:
"Suspects Identified: Hired mercenaries linked to underground security firm owned by Fang Wei's shell company."
Bingo.
Li Zhen's jaw tightened.
"Record everything. I want video, audio, and GPS traces."
10:30 PM — The Move
Su Qian turned onto a quiet road behind the library. The two men stepped out of their SUV and followed, closing in.
One reached into his coat — a tranquilizer needle.
But before he could take another step—
Whirr.
A drone swooped in from above, blinking red.
"WHAT THE—?" one shouted.
Then came the strike.
Two security operatives in tactical suits burst out from behind trees, knocking both men to the ground with silent precision.
Su Qian screamed and stumbled back — until she saw him.
Li Zhen appeared from the shadows.
"Su Qian. You're safe now."
Her eyes widened. "Zhen?! What's going on—who were they?"
He looked her in the eyes, steady and reassuring. "Enemies. But they'll never touch you again."
System Notification:
Quest Success: "Protect the Flame" Complete
Reward: Ally Skill Unlocked — 'Wild Shield' (Passive)
Effect: Su Qian is now immune to indirect harm. System will detect any threat to her within 10km radius.
Relationship Bond: Enhanced — Loyalty Level: 80%*
11:00 PM — Interrogation Room, IronCircle HQ
The two attackers sat tied to reinforced chairs, bruised and gagged.
One glared at Li Zhen as he walked in.
"You think this ends with us?" the man spat. "You've pissed off people you can't even imagine."
Li Zhen smiled calmly. "I imagined it. Then I built an empire faster than they could blink."
He stepped closer.
"You touched the wrong person. Now I'll return the favor."
He turned to his agent. "Send the full dossier to national security. Let's see how Fang Wei explains this one."
Back at the Penthouse
Su Qian sat quietly on the couch, hands still shaking as Li Zhen poured her warm tea.
"I don't understand," she whispered. "Why would anyone come after me?"
Li Zhen looked at her, sincerity in his eyes. "Because you matter to me. That's enough for my enemies to notice."
Her breath caught. "Zhen…"
"I've already lost people I cared about. I'm not letting it happen again."
She reached across the table and touched his hand. "Then let me stand with you. You don't have to do this alone."
System Alert:
Ally Bond Strengthened — Su Qian is now a 'Core Companion.'
New Passive: 'Heart Link' — Increases Host's Emotional Stability. Boosts Motivation +20%.
New Side Mission: "Build the Inner Circle."
Li Zhen looked out over the city.
Enemies in the shadows. Threats on all sides.
But he had allies now. People who believed in him.
And a system that responded not just to money — but to meaning.
"Let them try," he whispered.
"I'm not just living wild anymore.
I'm fighting wild."